Taans's Moons, A Haida Moon Story

“There’s a moon in the sky. It looks like a drum, which guides the earth where Taan is from.”

So begins a year in the life of Taan, which means bear in the Haida Language.

Author, Alison Gear has based this wonderfully engaging and thoughtful story on one version of the Haida Moon cycle. It follows Taan as she experiences the wonder of the unfolding seasons. The Haida people have a unique way of recording time according to the way the bear follows the seasons or months of the year. This particular method identifies 13 moons each relating to the habits of the bear. Some of the moons illustrated include the Food Gathering Moon, Cedar Bark Weaving Moon, and Bear Hibernate Moon. Illustrator Kiki van der Heiden worked closely with the children on Haida Gwaii to create the absolutely stunning felted artwork that gracefully complements each page of Taan’s story. The title of each moon cycle has been translated into both Skidegate and Old Massett Haida, honouring language and wisdom. At the back of the book, the publisher lists the names of each child who participated in this engaging project.

Hardcover

48 pages